Jeff Mitchell: Will anyone fly from McShane's roof in 2013?

Also: Friday marked Day 74 in the Jose Castaneda drama

Mar. 2, 2013

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Under the Dome

Ah, it’s March and that can mean three possible things: We’re in store for some green beer (yuck!), some great NCAA basketball and a chance that another drunk party-goer will fall off Councilman Steve McShane’s roof during his annual St. Patrick’s Day party.

I can hardly wait to quiz the heads of our public safety agencies the next day to see if a squad car, paramedic rig, fire engine or ambulance was dispatched to the good councilman’s house during the big event.

For those who remember, a friend of McShane's tried to escape a truly awkward, party-induced social situation last year by bailing out of an upper bedroom window. Unfortunately the man slipped and/or rolled off the roof.

For those keeping score, that's a serious ker-plop was followed by an ouchey (at least one broken leg) and a ride to Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital in a shiny ambulance with the lights and sirens on.

We’re hoping that good Councilman Doogie Howser will keep things under control this year.

Naw, what are we saying? Let it all hang out, Councilman! Woo-hoo!

Craig off to secure transportation cash

Soon Councilwoman Kimbley Craig will be winging her way to Washington, D.C., in search of money — lots of money.

Craig will be in the district March 5-13 on behalf of the city and TAMC, the Transportation Agency of Monterey County.

Her mission is clear: Get a cool $75 million out of the feds to support the Capitol Corridor extension-to-Salinas project.

For those who don’t dig trains and/or mass transportation, that’s an Amtrak-operated rail service that runs from Sacramento to San Jose and back several times a day. The plan is to get the route extended down to Salinas.

While back east, Craig will attend the National League of Cities Conference.

Her specific mission, according to the above-mentioned Councilman Howser (Steve McShane), is to get some big-time federale to write the funding commitment on a cocktail napkin.

If Craig pulls that off, I will be suitably impressed! She ought to frame the damned thing for her office wall at City Hall.

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Seriously, though, the rail extension project is a worthy one and, hopefully, the councilwoman will score the cash to make it happen.

Let’s all wish her good hunting.

Jose Castañeda Watch: Day 74

Friday marked the 74th day that new Salinas City Councilman and Alisal Union School District board member Jose Castañeda has continued to hold both seats in an apparent violation of state law.

In a hand-delivered letter from Mayor Joe Gunter to the Alisal Union School District board sent Wednesday, the mayor cuts to the chase with the question of whether the so-far timid school board is ever going to weigh in on the issue.

Here are Gunter’s four questions:

1. Salinas City Council would like to know the position of the AUSD board on Castañeda’s simultaneous occupation of the offices of Alisal Union School District Trustee and Salinas City Councilmember. Does the AUSD board believe the offices are incompatible?

2. Has Castañeda forfeited his position on the school board?

3. Does the AUSD board plan to take any further action to clarify any questions of law or fact concerning this matter, with the Attorney General or otherwise?

4. Any monies of any kind currently being paid to Castañeda for his service on the AUSD board (e.g., per diem, salary, reimbursements, and /or benefits)?

Gunter ends the letter this way:

“The council has requested the courtesy of a reply no later than March 15. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.”

I think it’s safe to say that we all do, too.

• Jeff Mitchell covers Salinas City Hall and local politics. Send tips or story ideas by email to:jemitchell@theCalifornian.com; or by phone: 831-754-4281. He can be heard live on the air Fridays at 8:10 a.m. on KION 1460-AM and KION 101.1-FM. You also can follow Under the Dome on Twitter at twitter.com/CalUnderTheDome